Twisting machine



March 31, 1936. R E GETCHELL 2,036,173

TWISTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1954 a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

@Mzz A'ITORNEY.

March 31, 1936.

if m R. E. GETCHELL 2,036,173

TWISTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 193

0 WX 7 o 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 =7: v w G) llllllll Q w 122 fi= W I 0 #6 Q INVENTCQZ.

ATTORNEY.

March 31 1936. V R GETCHELL 2,036,173

- TWISTING MACHINE Fil ed Jan. 19, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

R. E. GETCHELL 2,036,173

TWISTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1936.

TWISTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

WZM/Z BY 0 &

ATTORNEY.

R. E. GETCHELL 2, 36,173 Q Mal ch 31, 1936. E, GETCHELL 2,036,173

TWISTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1934. 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 j \Ii 22/ IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1936,

R. E. GETCHELL 2,036,173

TWISTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 195

8 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY.

' Patented Mar. 31, l936 TWISTING MACHINE Raymond E. Getchell, Holyoke, Mass, assignor to B. F. Perkins & Son, Inc., Holyoke, Mass, at corporation of Massachusetts Application January 19, 1934, Serial No. 707,287

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in twisting apparatus and is directed more particularly to improvements in machines and a method for forming a cable or cord by twisting together a plurality of twisted strands which strands are iormed by twisting a plurality'of elements about one another.

The principal objects of the invention are the provisions of a machine and a process for acculo rately and uniformly twisting a plurality of elements or filaments into separate strands which are then twisted together to form a continuous body or cord. The machine of the invention is constructed and arranged in a. novel manner so that a completed cable or cord is formed by successive and continuous operations, thereby obviating a number of the separate operations necessary in prior art practice, all to the end that there results eificiency in operation and a go saving in the manufacturing costs of the cable or cord.

Accuracy and uniformity of twisting are important features of the invention and facilitate the producing of a cord or cable which is not 25 only uniform in all its important respects but which possesses a. maximum of strength. This is accomplished by the provision of novel mearis for feeding out plural elements from packages, forming these into strands and the strands so into a cord or cable and taking up the finished cable at definite predetermined rates, all of which insures definite twisting results with uniform and constant conditions of tension.

one important feature 01 the invention is the 35. provision of a process wherein separate packages may each contain plural elements or yarns, the elements from each of the packages being twisted to form strands which are subsequently twisted to form a cord or cable by a continuous process.

50 operation. By'reason of the many novel features thereof it is not necessarily limited to but is particularly adapted for the-forming or producing of small cables or cords such'as cords used in tire manufacture. In connection with such a 55 product as mentioned, it is necessary that the cord be produced economically and uniformly while it must possess maximum strength and stretchability consistent with its size. To attain all of this, the machine embodies certain novel features of construction and arrangement of 5 parts which co-operate to produce the desired results.

Various and numerous objects and advantages of the invention'will be hereinafter more fully referred. to in connection with the accompanying l0 description of the present preferred form thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the present preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings,

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a machine it embodying the novel features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 taken at the left-hand e d thereof. I

Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a combined sectional and elevational view through one of the package spindles and the twisting head. V

. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing. the twisting head and feed outmechanism.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 6-6 of. Fig. 4.

. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view through the upper end of the twisting head.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of the inside of .one of the cups to show certain novel guiding means for a filament.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing a plurality of filaments carried by the filament packages.

Fig. 10 is a similar view showing how the filaments are twisted together 'to form a strand.

Fig. 11 is 'a similar view showing a section of a finished cable after the strands are twisted'together. Fig. 12 is a combined elevational and sectional view showing the construction of the upper part of the skirt for a spool and the take-up mechanism for taking up the finished cable.

Fig. 13 is a sectionaliplan view on the line 13-43 of Fig. 12. I

Fig. '14 is an elevational and sectional view similar to Fig. 12 showing certain details of construction. I

Fig. 15 is a sectional plan view on the line l5---l5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevational view showing certain features-of the bobbin-carrying mechanism. e

- Fig. 17 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 18 is a side elevational view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a sectional elevational view on the line I9-l9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 20 is a sectional elevational view on the line 20--20 of Fig. 19.

. Fig. 21 is a sectional elevational view on the line 2l-2l of Fig. 19, and

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary elevational view to show certain details of construction.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the invention will now be described.

End frames 2 and l are provided which are held in spaced apart relation by upper and lower side rails 6 and 8 respectively. These rails may be of any length and are arranged to space the end frames apart any desired distance so that a number of separate twisting units represented by ID may be associated with the supporting structure formed by the end frames and rails mentioned. In this way it is possible to provide any desired number of the units on one or both of the upper rails and thereby form a compact rigid construction. The different units may be made to operate at diflerent speeds and to produce diiferent cables or cords and any certain unit may be operated individually since they are independent of one another.

Each unit l0 consists, as will be described, of a plurality of rotatable package spindles disposed about a central or main spindle, feed-out mechanism, and lower take-up and bobbin winding mechanism. This provides a structure whereby each unit may be operated independently of the other and thus in a general way the machine consists of a plurality of separate cableproducing mechanisms with certain mechanism common to all the units for causing bobbins to traverse or move up and down relative to the take-up mechanisms whereby finished cables may be fed onto a number of bobbins simultaneously.

Supporting brackets l8, one for each of the units are secured to the upper rails B. These support a central motor 20 and a plurality of package motors 22 disposed concentrically around the central motors.

The package spindles and associated parts are of the same construction so that one only need be described.

'The package motor 22 includes a suitable housing supported by a part 20' associated with the bracket I8. The housing of the motor encloses a stator element 26 and a rotor element 28, the latter of which has associated therewith a package spindle 31. With the rotor element of the motor in rotation, the spindle 3| is rotated thereby and a cup or pot 30 is suitably fixed to the spindle so as to be rotatable therewith.

The spindle at its upper end is provided with a transverse opening 32 and an axial opening extending from the upper extremity of the spindle into the opening 32. An inertia disc 34 is rotatable relative to the spindle 3|. This is frictionally driven by the spindle through the means of frictionally engageable members 36 and 38. A sleeve 40 is relatively rotatable on the spindle and is receivable in a core 42 of a package indicated by dash lines P. The core and-the pack age may rotate relative to the spindle to allow material to be drawn fromthe package as the spindle rotates. The package core 42 is rotated through discs 36 and 38.

When the machine is used for making cables or cords for tires, the package P preferably includes a plurality of yarns wound onto the core 42 in parallelism so that three separate yarns may be unwound from the package simultaneously. It will be understood that the package and its core is slipped down over the sleeve 40. When side legs 46 and a horizontally disposed transverse connecting part 48 at the upper ends there of. 'The extremities of the member 46 are secured in some suitable manner to the wall of the cup. The part 48 of the guide is relatively close to the inside wall of the cup and the guide being more or less flexible or yieldable permits the yarn to he slipped behind the guide.

As has been stated, a package may consist of a plurality of separate filaments or yarns E. In this case there are three separate filaments wound onto the package so that they are drawn from the package in the parallel relation shown in Fig. 9. The parallel filaments E are led from the package P beneath the guide or guides 44 and then upwardly through the transverse opening 32 in the end of the spindle and through the axially disposed opening thereof and upwardly onto the over feed-01f mechanism, presently to be described, and then into the twisting head.

The central motor 20 has a hollow spindle 50 extending upwardly therefrom which is journalled in a quill or extension 52 associated with the motor 20. An extension 54 associated with the quill extends thereabove and supports a plurality of feed-01f devices as well as a twisting head mechanism. There is one feed-off device for each of the package spindles and only one therefor need be here described.

A hub 56 is carried by the member 54 and has a plurality of outwardly extending arms 58 with which the feed-oil devices are associated.

A driving gear 60 is carried by the upper end of the rotatable hollow spindle 50 and a stud 62 is associated with each of the arms 58. A gear structure 64 is rotatable on the stud 62 which is in mesh with the driving gear 60. A feed-off drum 66 is screw threaded on the gear 64, a portion of which extends outwardly from the arm, all as shown: The threads of the gear and drum are so arranged that the drum 66' may be unscrewed from the gear 66 by rotating the drum in the direction of its normal direction of rotation. With a drum of a certain diameter being driven at a certain speed it will be apparent that it will feed off a predetermined length of strand. To vary the rate of feed-oil it is possible to employ drums of different sizes.

A grooved wheel 68 co-operating with the drum is mounted for rotation on a suitable stud of the arm so that the twisted elements leading from the end of the spindle 3| and after they are twisted may be led or wrapped alternately around the members 68 and 68. In this way it will be possible to contact twisted-together elements a. number of times with the feed-off dru'm to safeguard against slipping and maintain a constant and uniform rate of feed.

A tubular member 10 is associated with the member 56 and mounted thereon is a tubular conical shaped head 12. Wedge members 14 within the head 12 are formed to provide a relatively smooth central ain'al opening or bore for receiving strands for a cone I6 and spring 18 all as shown. This is so the members '14 are yieldingly held in their upper position and co-operate be pressed downwardly to enlarge the opening which receives the cord and release the cord from sidewise pressure.

- A tension device 8 2 is associated with each of the arms 58. This tension device is preferably made from resilient material such as wire which is coiled intermediateits ends'to provideflexibility'. 'One end 84 is secured to the arm 59 and its other or inner end extends'upwardly and inwardly towards the axis of the shaft 59 with a strand-receiving eye such as IE6 provided on the ,inner end. The tension device is preferably so constructed that normally it tends to assume the dotted line position shown but as will appear in.

the operation of the machine it is drawn downwardly by the strands passing through the eye thereof and functions to tension the strand and eliminate slack therein.

The take-up mechanism associated with the lower end of the spindle of the central motor will now be described in detail with reference to Figs. 12 to 15', inclusive.

As will be seen, the lower end of the hollow motor shaft 59 extends below the motor M. A

casing 89- is carried by this lower end of the spindle 5|! which may consist of secured togetherparts and 92. A shaft such as 94 .is suitably journalled within the casing as by bearing 96 and carries on its lower end a grooved take-up wheel 98. A drive gear IllI'I is associated with the lower end of the housing of the motor so as to be non-rotatable.

opposed to the plane of the axis of the central A shaft I02 is disposed on an axis spindle 5d and is rotatable in bosses or bearings IIl I within the shell.

A gear I [I6 associated with the shaft I92 meshes with the gear I99. Another gear Ind fixed to shaft I02 is in-mesh with a gear II 0 fixed to the shaft 94 so that as-the casing 89 is rotated by spindle 50, the shaft 94 and drum 98 arerotated. A drum. similar to drum 98 is rotatable on stud 91 carried by part 912.

A lead-out opening I I2 for the cable is provided "through shaft 50 and a part I I6 extending below the casing. A cable such as C may be led outwardly from the center of the spindle Sill and wrapped around the take-up drums 95 and M which, as one is driven at a certain speed, will take up the twisted, cable at a certain rate.

A flywheel H5 is supported from the part IIB belowthe casing 89 and a tubular shell-like skirt IIt extends downwardly from the'member H4 as shown. A guide member I29 provided with an opening therethrough, as shown, is associated with the flywheel I I5 for receiving the cable from the drums 98 anda guide eye I24 is carried by the skirt adjacent its lower end. This is so a cable Cmay be led downwardly through the skirt and guided for winding onto a bobbin such asB which is moved. up and down relative to the skirt so the winding will be systematic.

Aswill be later explained, elements from. the package spindles are twisted to form strands and then a plurality of the strands are twisted to form a main cable or cord which is then wound onto a bobbin. The detail operation will be hereinafter more fully described but the mechanism 'for causing the bobbin to move up and down relative to the skirt will be described at this point.

A motor I30 is carried by one of the end frames such as the frame 2 at the left in Fig. 1. A shaft I32 of the motor carries a worm I34 which'is in I mesh with a gear I36. This gear I36 has associated with it a worm, not shown, which in turn is inmesh with a gear I38 of a shaft I49.

A clutch member I42 is slidable, but non-rotatable, on shaft I40 so as to be shiftable up and member I44. A lever I46 forked at its end, as

, down to engagev and disengage a mating clutch shown, is carried by a shaft I48 which is os-..

cillated by means of an operating lever I5Il. A cam IE2 is associated with-clutch member III and has a suitable groove which receives a roll or pin I54 of a vertically reciprocable rack I56.

A shaft I60, journalled in the end frame 2 has agear I52 fixed thereon which meshes with the rack I56. When the clutch members M2 and I are brought into operable engagement so" a gear IIZ of shaft III]. This is so the'shaft IIiII may be oscillated manually.

A.wheel or drum Itll is carried by shaft IM and a flexible member such as a chain I32 is suitably secured thereto intermediate its ends. .As'

shaft I69 and member IBI) are oscillated, opposite ends of the chain are raised and lowered. Slidable rails IBA are fixed to the ends of the chain I82 and have brackets I38 associated therewith which are slidable on rods I90 so that the rails may be raised and lowered by oscillation of shaft Ifill.

Spool carrier arms IIIIS, one for each twisting unit, are fixed to longitudinal shafts Iilfi which are oscillatable in parts 290 associated with rails IN. These arms are movable by oscillation of shaft I99 from an upper position to a lower dotted.

line position shown in Fig. 3. The mechanism to bring about oscillating movements of the arms I96 will be later described, it being sufiicient to say-for the present that the rails IM are moved up and down to carry the arms I96 up and down whereby the bobbins such as B carried by the arm may be moved up and down relative to the shirts. This is so a finished cable may be properly served onto the bobbins.

The arms I96 are alike and only one of them will be described in detail, reference being bad particularly to Figs. 16, 1'1 and 18. A spider-like member 2w has resilient members BIZ associated therewith-and is rebeivable in a ring-like portion lId at the end of the' arm-L This is so the member lIt is yieldable in the portion lid. A depending hub 2W of the member lIlI has a spindle 2m rotatable therein. A member 229 is associated with the spindle M3 and has tongues 222 receivable in slots which may beprovided in the lower flange of a bobbin B.

A plunger member Ziti is urged upwardly in member 2w by means of a spring 2H] and carries on its upper end a friction member 2 I] which may bring up against the lower side of the bobbin. The plunger is slidable and oscillatable rel- I I ative tomember 2m and has an outwardly extending grip portion 224 which works on a cam face 226.

As the member 224 is moved to the left from the position shown in Fig. 18 it is moved downspring 2| 9 forces the member 2I6 upwardly whereby the friction member 2II frictionally engages the bobbin to hold it against or retard its rotation.

The operation of the machine'insofar as it has been described will now be explained with particular reference to a single unit.

Packages P are placed on each of the package spindles and each package may include a plurality of elements E such as cotton yarn wound in parallelism thereon. Three such elements on each package have been found to produce good results.

The elements E from each of the packages are led through the guides 46 on the inner faces of the cups 30 and then upwardly through the openings in the ends of the package spindles and onto the feed-oif devices. On the feed-off devices, the elements are served back and forth alternately on the grooved wheels and feed-off drums 68 and 66 and are then led through the eyes in the ends of the tension devices 82 and downwardly through the twisting head at the top of the central holhow spindle. The elements are passed through the spindle 58 of the central motor, out the opening II 2 at the lower end-of the spindle, served around the take-up member 98 and through the vertical opening I20 in the flywheel I I5 and finally through the guide eye I24 at the bottom of the skirt onto the bobbin B. The central and package motors are put into operation so that the spindles and their associated cups are rotated while at the same time the lower skirt and it's associated part are rotated'relative to the bobbin which moves up and downwithin the skirt.

Various results may be obtained or various combinations may be employed to produce cables or cords of different types but by way of explanation it will be stated that the upper package motors may operate at a speed of approximately 7492 revolutions per minute while the central motor spindle may operate at a speed of approximately 3600 revolutions per minute. As the spindles 3| rotate, the packages associated therewith. are rotated so that the elements from a package are twisted one about the other resulting in a strand such as S being formed from the elements of each package. The strands S are twisted one about the other by means of the twisting head to form a cable and the cable is wound or served on the bobbin within the skirt.

According to one modification of the invention, with the package spindles rotating in one direction and the central spindle rotating in an opposite direction and at appoximately the speeds mentioned, the parts are so arranged that the elements from a package are twisted about one another at approximately 18 turns per inch, while the strands are twisted about one another at 8 turns per inch. This produces a finished cable having 10 turns per inch. This is accounted for in this way. The strands are cable twisted in a direction opposite to that in which the elements are strand twisted so that in twisting for the cable formation a certain number of twists are removed from the strands.

The gears'and other mechanisms constituting the feed-out for the strands and the take-up for the cable are constructed to maintain a definite predetermined rate of feed-out with respect to the rate of take-up. This is so the correct amount of twisted strands may be provided to accommo- I cable of uniform characteristics may be produced.

In the initial starting of a unit where untwisted elements are led through the central spindle and through the tension devices 82 some slack is provided. As the spindles start to rotate to twist the elements into strands and the strands into a cable this brings about a shortening of the elements but the yieldable devices 82 flex down-- wardly to accommodate the shortening tendency without unduly tensioning the elements but yet holding them sufliciently taut for the proper twisting operation.

By changing the relative sizes of the drums associated with the feed-off and take-up mechanisms it is possible to feed out the strands according to the number of turns therein at such a rate as will bring about the correct number of turns in the finished cord.

As has been stated the arms supporting the bobbins are moved up and down by the rails I84 so that the finished cord or cable is served onto the bobbins systematically. It is an object of the invention that the bobbin arms and arm shafts supported in rails I84 be oscillated to facilitate removal of the bobbins or to doif the bobbins only when the bobbins and rail are in their-lowermost position. This is so the bobbins may be tilted without danger of their striking the skirts.

The mechanism for doing this will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 19, 20, 21 and 22.

Shafts such as 220 are rotatable in bearings 222 carried by frame 2 and carry cranks 224 and gears 226 on their opposite ends. Shafts 228 are rotatable in the bores or cases 200 which carry worms 230 in engagement with gears 232 of shafts I98.

The shafts 220 are urged outwardly by springs 22!. When the rails are in their lowermost position the said shafts are forced inwardly to bring the gears 226 into meshwith gears 234 of shafts 228 and then by turning cranks the shafts I98 are oscillated to swing arms I96 either to move bobbins up into the skirts or to remove them therefrom for the dofl'ing operation.

It is desired however that as a safety measure the shafts I98 be releasably locked against oscillation. This locking mechanism will now be described.

A shaft 240 is oscillatable in bearings 242 associated with end frame 2 which has levers 244 on its opposite ends. A lever 246 carried by shaft 240 is connected by a link 248 to one arm 250 of a bell crank (see Fig. '20) which is pivoted at 252 to a bracket 254. Arms 256 are pivoted at 258 to parts 200 and have downwardly depending portions 260 which are forked as shown to receive rolls 262 of slidable lock bolts 264 associated with the cases 200. The lock bolts are spring pressed forwardly into locking .positionby springs 266 so that their ends enters holes 268 of arms 218 fixed to shafts I88.

A bar 214 is pivoted at one end to the arm 25I of the bell crank and has a member 216 thereon lit hit

provided with outwardly extending lugs 278. The bards pivoted at its other end to a link 280 which is pivotally connected to a bracket 282 fixed to irame d, (see Fig. 1).

a lever lock tllll'is slidable in frame 2 and its forward end is engaged for reciprocation by a lever 'itil carried by shaft 240. The rear end of the lock is arranged to lie in the path of movement of lever tilt, (see Fig. 2). As shaft t lt is oscillated the lockttll is reciprocated simultaneously with.

- to reciprocate bar tilt and swing arm 2% to withdraw lock ttt irom'arm tilt so that the shaft tilt-is rotated by rotating member .itd.

This moves the bobbin carriers to bobbin-dot- :tlng position and the lock tilt may in this rotation slide over arm till. Prior to oscillating shaft tdll lever tilt in Fig. 2 is moved to the right to disconnect the driving mechanism and as shaft t lt is oscillated lock member ttt advances to lie in the path of lever ltd and prevent its movement while the bobbin arms are in dofiing position as well'as while they are being moved between said position and a position axially oi the skirts.

Thus it will beseen that the elements are twisted into strands which are twisted to form a cable in an emcient manner. The feed-out mechanism for the strands is directly connected to the cable twisting mechanism so that it is possibleto feed out the strands and ,take up the bill weight of, the package provides sufficient and desired tension. However, as the elements are drawn from the package the inertia disc comes intoplay so that the last end of elements are 7 tensioned. In this way the tension on the elements is maintainedsubstantiallypniform to contribute to a uniform product.

The fly wheel it of the skirt functions to rotate the centralspindle after the motor current has been cut d. This is desirable as the central till bobbin carriers being movable on said member spindle simultaneuouslymotates with the package spindles sothat all stop together.

, Having described the invention in the form at present preferred what it is desired to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. in an apparatus of the class described comprising, separate units including means fortwisting elements intos'trands and for twisting strands into cables and for serving cables onto bobbins, a member movable relative to the units including bobbin carriers, means to move said member whereby a plurality of bobbins are moved simultaneously relatively to said units, the said 1 between cable receiving and .doffing positions,

means to move said carriers and releasable look- -ing means therefor adapted and arranged to lock the same against movement into'dofling position except when the memberis in a certain position.

2. In an apparatus of the class described comprising, means for twisting elements into strands and for twisting strands into a cable including a hollow central spindle through which the cable passes, a take-up mechanism at one end of said spindle, a skirt carried by said end of the spindle having means for serving a cable from said takeup onto a bobbin, a member movable up and down in parallelism with the axis of said spindle,

a carrier for a bobbin in said member arranged to move a bobbin axially within said skirt the said carrier being movable on said member to .move a bobbin between cable receiving and domng positions only when the carrier is in a certain cable receiving position.

3. In an apparatus or the class described com prising, means for twisting elements into strands and for twisting strands into a cable including a hollow central spindle through which the-cable passes, a take-up mechanism at one end of said spindle, a skirt carried by said end of the spindle having means for serving a cable from said takeup onto a bobbin, a member movable up and .down in parallelism with the axis oi said spindle,

a carrier for a bobbin in said member arranged to move 'a bobbin axially within said skirt, the said. carrier being .movable on said member to move a bobbin between cable receiving and doifing positions, and means to releasably lock the car- 'rier against movements except when the member is in a certain position, means to operate said member and means to operate said carrier.

4. In an apparatus of the class described comprising, inean's for twisting elements into strands and for twisting strands into a cable including a hollow central spindle through which the cable passes, a take-up mechanism at one end of said spindle, a skirt carried by said end of the spindle having means for serving a cable from said takeup onto a bobbin, a member movable up and down in parallelism with the axis of said spindle,

a carrier for a bobbin in said member arranged to move a bobbin axially within said skirt, the said carrier being movable on said member to move a bobbin between cable receiving and doifing positions, means to operate said member and means to operate said carrier, and means to releasably lock the carrier against movements except when the member is in a certain position.

5. In an apparatus 01 the class described comprising, means for twisting elements into strands and for twisting strands into a cable including a hollow central spindle through which the cable passes, a take-up mechanism at one end, of said spindle, a skirt carried by said end of the spindle having means for serving a cable from said takeup onto a bobbin, a member movable "up and down in parallelism with the axis of said spindle,

a carrier for a bobbin in said member arranged to move a bobbin axially within said skirt, the said carrier being movable on said member to move a bobbin between cable receiving and doffing positions, means to operate said member and means to operate said carrier, and means toreleasably lock the carrier against movements except when the member is in a certain position, means to move said member controlled by a movable member, and means to lock said member against movements which is actuated by the carrier locking means whereby the member is locked against movement when the carrier is in a certain position.

6. In an apparatus of the class described comprising, means for twisting elements into strands and for twisting strands into a cable inclnding a hollow central spindle through which the cable passes, a take-up mechanism associated with said spindle,,a skirt carried by said spindle having means for serving a cable onto a bobbin, a member movable up and down in parallelism with the axis of said spindle, a carrier for a bobbin in said member arranged to 'move a bobbin axially within said skirt, the said carrier being movable on said member to move a bobbin between cable receiving and doffing positions, and means to releasably lock the carrier against movements except when the member is in a certain position, means to operate said member and means to operate said carrier.

7. In an apparatus of the class described comprising, means for twisting elements into strands and for twisting strands into a cable including a hollow central spindle through which the cable passes, a take-up mechanism at one end of said spindle, a skirt carried by the spindle having means for serving a cable onto a bobbin, a member movable up and down in parallelism with the axis of said spindle, a carrier for a bobbin in said member arranged to move a bobbin axially within said skirt, the said carrier being movable on said member to move a bobbin between cable receiving and dofiing positions, means to operate said member and means to operate said carrier, and means to releasably lock the carrier against movements except when the member is in a certain position. a

8. In an apparatus of the class described comprising, means for twisting elements into strands said member arranged to move a bobbin axially within said skirtfthe said carrier being movable on said member to move a bobbin between cable receiving and dofling positions, means ,to operate said member and means to operate said carrier, and means to releasably lock the carrier against movements except when the member is in a certain position, means to move said member controlled by a movable member, and means to lock said member against movements which is actuated by the carrier locking means whereby the member is locked against movement when th carrier is in a certain position.

' RAYMOND E. GETCHELL. 

